Things to expect and consider when handing in your notice

Securing a new job is a fantastic feeling, however, the toughest part of the process for many people that fills them with trepidation is resigning from their current employer.

The Global Hospitality Industry is a small world really - there is always someone you work for that knows someone else. Taking this into account one tip for people is to make sure to resign on good terms and in a professional way. As is the case with many things, resigning properly takes some preparation. Below are some tips to help your resignation process run smoothly.

Take a moment to reflect

An obvious one, but think about why you want to leave. There may be a number of reasons, for instance, you may already have a new job lined up, in which case you probably have already thought this over. If not, take some time to think about your decision and talk it over with your partner or a close friend.

Do constructively lay out your reasons for leaving and sleep on it. Approach these reasons again afterwards and if your decision is still the same proactively follow these next steps.

Don’t make a decision after an incident at work or if you are feeling angry or stressed.

Remember, there may be a chance that your employer will come back with a counter offer or additional incentives to get you to stay; reflecting on your reasons for leaving prior to this will enable you to deal with this appropriately.

Once you have instigated this process it is often very difficult to undo or reverse it.

PREPARATION:

Before resigning, wait until you have received your new job offer in writing or by email and have confirmed this. It’s also advisable and a good idea to make sure you have secured any of the following that may be dependent in starting your new job

Obtaining or being granted a work visa that is required for you to work in the country you are planning to work in

Obtaining a clear medical result should it be required

Receiving any references or recommendations that are required

Having education or working accreditation that are required to secure the job

When writing your official resignation letter clearly outline the reasons why you want to leave.

HOW:
It’s important to have a short and concise resignation letter ready for when you hand in your notice. Don’t linger on the reasons for your resignation; keep the letter official, formal, and professional.

Do clarify your notice period and include this in your letter.

Don’t feel like you have to give the reasons for your resignation or go into specific detail.
Remember that it is important to maintain a positive relationship with the company and its staff, ensure a personal element to the letter using lines such as “it is with regret” and thanking the company / manager for your time there.

Hand your notice in as soon as you can once your new position is confirmed. The more notice you can give your current employer the better, as this gives them time to find a replacement.

Schedule a meeting with your boss once you have received your job offer in writing and tell them that you are handing in your notice. Some bosses may take the news well and wish you success whilst others may be shocked and disappointed - be prepared for both reactions. The first rule of how to hand in your notice, never hand it in without having a face-to-face meeting with your manager or relevant work contact. Leaving your resignation letter on their desk or emailing them will both be awkward and come across as dismissive.

Do arrange a meeting as soon as possible in a private location, be it their office or grabbing a coffee together during or after work.

Be polite but firm as to your desire to move on and resist saying anything negative about your current role.

Hand them your official resignation letter. Keep it short and positive and thank your employer for the opportunities they have given you.

LEAVING ON GOOD TERMS:

Agree a leaving date and try and give your employer as much notice as possible. This gives the company time to organise a replacement to cover your workload.

Stress that you will be thoroughly professional during your notice period and cooperate with any handover.

Help train in your replacement if possible, if this is not possible, leave a clear handover document detailing as much information as you can to make it easy for the new person to get up to speed with your duties.

Continue to put 100% into your job and do it to the best of your ability.

Refrain from telling your colleagues about your new role until you have spoken with your boss.

Avoid the temptation to gloat about your new job to colleagues and only speak positively about your current employer.

The Counter Offer

Your decision to hand in your notice can often come as a shock to the company and they will be sad to see you go. Not only may you have been extremely valued but it can be both costly and timely to fill the position you are leaving. To prevent this, you may be made a counter offer or offered a promotion. Whilst this can be enticing, it is important to consider a number of factors.

Don’t instantly change your mind upon being made a counter offer. This will not only come across badly, but may be a knee-jerk decision you will regret.

Remember you have carefully thought about your reasons for leaving and handing in your notice. An improved offer from your current employer may seem great but it may affect your future prospects within the company. If you are thinking about leaving purely for salary reasons, take a look at our article on how to fight for a fair salary review here.

In many instances, an employer will make a counter offer. You need to have thought through what you would do in this instance before handing in your notice. Ask yourself the following questions: What is the best decision for your career? Has anything changed? Will more money or the promise of a promotion really change things? Will it just be a quick fix? Why did it take you resigning before they offered you a pay rise or promotion? How will your relationship be with your boss if you stay when they know you were willing to leave before? Will you be looking for a new opportunity again in six months?

It is flattering to get a counter offer. If you find yourself in this situation;

Try and take the emotion out of the situation and think objectively.

Don't engage in a conversation around a counter offer if you've no intentions of staying.

Follow-up
You’ve made it this far, you’re fully clued up on how to hand in your notice and have done so successfully. There are a few more steps to take before you leave for good to ensure you don’t leave the rest of your company in the lurch and you leave on a good note. Think of who else needs to be notified of your leaving and agree with your manager about who will communicate what and when. Plan a detailed handover of the role to your colleagues and be sure to deliver in a professional manner.

Do ensure that any loose ties are tied, and you remain positive and productive throughout your notice period. Don’t refuse to work your notice period, your employment contract is legally binding and you don’t want to leave on a bad note.

Remember that you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into your personal and professional relationships at your workplace, ensure that this isn’t wasted; inform your colleagues you’ll be leaving and exchange contact details, you never know what may happen in the future.

Leaving a job is always a hard decision and a tough process, depending on how you hand in your notice, it can transpire in a number of ways. Hopefully, these 5 top tips of do’s and dont’s prove useful in knowing how to hand in your notice effectively and not only will you leave your current job with happy memories (and a good reference) but you’ll be well on your way to newer and better things!

THE EXIT INTERVIEW:

Cooperate and be engaged during your exit interview.

Be constructive but resist the urge to criticise or be overly negative.

THE AFTERMATH:

If you have a non-compete clause in your contract then honour this.

Say a proper goodbye to your colleagues and keep in touch with those you get on with.

Keep doors open as the world is a small place and you never know when your paths might cross again